Registration

Instrument Selection and Trial night

If your student is interested in band, please plan to come to Instrument Trial Night for your school!

This is where your student will get to try all of the offered instruments at Harris Road!

All Rising 6th Graders: Wednesday, April 17th 2024

Instruments offered in beginning band

Students may choose between the following instruments:

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Alto Saxophone

French Horn

Trumpet

Trombone

Euphonium

Tenor Saxophone

Bass Clarinet

Tuba

*some instruments may not be available due to previous registration numbers

Flute

The flute is the smallest of the beginner instruments.

Personality: Careful & Studious

Physical Characteristics: Flute players should have a slight “frown” to the upper lip with NO tear drop shape in the middle. Flute tones are produced by being able to focus an extremely small air stream to an exact location on the tone hole. The tear-drop-shaped lip will make it difficult to direct the air so precisely. Flute players should also have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed instrument through a fast musical passage. Students with extreme overbites (receded jaw) should avoid choosing flute as this makes it difficult to produce quality sounds. Flexible lower lip desirable.

Other Considerations: Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointedness can cause lack of agility in the fingers.

oboe

The oboe is a small woodwind instrument that is similar to a clarinet. It uses a double reed.

Personality: Patient & Scholarly

Physical Characteristics: Oboe players usually have small to medium size lips that cover the teeth. Fingers should be long and agile.

Other Considerations: Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting oboe as this condition can cause lack of agility in the fingers. The oboe takes a lot more time to master than some of the other instruments. Students who like a challenge are a good fit for the oboe. Some orthodontia ok.

clarinet

The clarinet uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to produce the sound. Clarinet is a popular instrument each year and many students will get the opportunity to play.

Personality: Diligent & Focused

Physical Characteristics: One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Students with underbites should avoid this instrument. Students with very skinny fingers often have difficulty covering the tone holes.

Other Considerations: Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds.

Alto & Tenor Saxophone

The saxophone is a woodwind instrument. It uses a single reed. They come in different sizes: alto (small), tenor (medium), and baritone (large).

Personality: Jazzy & Outgoing

Physical Characteristics: Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when asked to.

Other Considerations: Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds.

French Horn

The French Horn is a member of the brass family. The sound of the French Horn is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Students with good musical ears (such as piano/guitar players) should consider French Horn.

Personality: Academic, Mature, Creative

Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a French Horn player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on French Horn. The French Horn’s valves are manipulated with the LEFT hand.

Other Considerations: This instrument is a GREAT choice for students who have participated in piano/violin/voice lessons, but it is not a requirement. HRMS provides school French horns for students who have a financial need.

Trumpet

The cornet/trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on the cornet/trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small cup-shaped mouthpiece.

Personality: Confident & Daring

Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a cornet/trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on cornet/trumpet. Cornet/Trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.

Other Considerations: Cornet/Trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part. Therefore, students who choose and are selected for trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.

Trombone

Trombone players should have good “musical ears”. The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves.

Personality: Sense of Humor & Good Ear for Music

Physical Characteristics: While some might think that trombone players must have long arms, the truth is there are numerous accommodations that make it possible for students of all shapes and sizes to play. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.

Other Considerations: The slide is not marked or notched and players rely on their memory and listening skills to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location. Students with good musical ears should consider Trombone.

Euphonium

The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide.

Personality: Artistic, outgoing, expressive, mature

Physical Characteristics: Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an under bite would hinder a good sound. The euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves and students should have an above average lung capacity. Many athletes are highly successful on this instrument.

Other Considerations: Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or French horn. HRMS provides school euphoniums for students who have a financial need.

Tuba

The tuba is the largest instrument in the band and many would believe it would be hard to physically manage. The tubas we use for beginners are 3/4 size and easy to handle. Currently, we have enough tubas for students to keep one at home and to use one at school.

Personality: Unique, fun, adventurous, courageous, proud, THE most important instrument of the band.

Physical Characteristics: Tuba players need to have full lips and a large lung capacity. While the size of the student doesn’t matter TOO much, a long torso (upper body) helps a student reach the mouthpiece of the tuba while resting the bottom of the tuba on a tuba stand

Other Considerations: THE most important instrument in the band. Braces take a while to get used to when playing this instrument, but do not cause a hinderance. Students who play tuba have a rental agreement with the school and are required to purchase their own mouthpiece.

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